This was far from a classic, never mind a clasico

Probably the biggest fixture in the world,” was how Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre described Manchester United v Liverpool shortly before kick-off at Old Trafford yesterday.

Given that Liverpool have been transformed from serial winners of yesteryear to Premier League also rans, it’s perhaps understandable that people at the club would seek any and every opportunity to big themselves up but, still, claiming equal participation in “the biggest fixture in the world” is the sort of thing that could put the Sky hype machine out of business.

Real Madrid v Barcelona this wasn’t, although it’s true that history will always add a certain lustre to the meeting of these old rivals. However, despite Liverpool making a game of it in the second half, this was some distance short of a classic, never mind a clasico.